A sporting revolution is sweeping across Italy. Tennis courts from the Alps to Sicily are teeming with newly converted enthusiasts, eager to emulate the success of their countrymen on the world stage. At the heart of this unprecedented surge lies a 23-year-old sensation—Jannik Sinner.
The Sinner Effect: Inspiring a Nation
Hailing from the northern reaches of South Tyrol, Jannik Sinner’s meteoric ascent to the pinnacle of men’s tennis has electrified his compatriots. As the first Italian to claim the world No. 1 ranking, Sinner’s triumph on court has translated into a tidal wave of tennis fervor off it.
Alfredo Tumminello, coach at the esteemed Circolo del Tennis Palermo, bears witness to this phenomenon daily:
“Everyone is crazy about tennis. In the summer, before the start of the courses, I receive dozens of calls from parents who want to enroll their children. The children’s passion has been transmitted to the parents. There are hundreds of adults who accompany their children to tennis lessons and then also ask to attend courses themselves.”
This infectious enthusiasm has seen tennis club enrollments swell by an astonishing 30% in 2024 alone. The Italian Tennis Federation reports that registered players now exceed one million—a nearly tenfold increase from just two decades prior.
From Football to Forehands
For many, like 47-year-old AC Milan devotee Ninni Licata, the lure of the court has proven irresistible. Hanging up his football boots in favor of a tennis racket, Licata embodies a growing trend among Italians smitten by tennis fever.
“It’s sad when I think about how much time I wasted on football when I could have invested that time into starting tennis much earlier. Sometimes, while grocery shopping, I catch myself simulating forehand and backhand movements among the food shelves.”
This passion is not confined to adults alone. Children, once aspiring footballers, are now clamoring to emulate their tennis idols. Antonio Tarantino, father of two budding tennis prodigies, couldn’t be happier with their newfound ambition.
Unlocking the Secrets of Success
As the world marvels at Italy’s tennis renaissance, experts have sought to unravel the secrets fueling this success. Some point to strategic shifts in training, with a focus on competing on the international hard courts that dominate the ATP tour.
Yet for Giorgio Lo Cascio, president of the Palermo tennis club, the key lies closer to home. The proliferation of local tournaments has provided aspiring players with vital competitive experience without the burden of overseas travel.
“In the past, these young players had to travel to South America or other countries to compete, incurring huge costs for their families. By establishing competitive tournaments in Italy, these youngsters only needed to hop on a train to compete and showcase their skills.”
The Padel Paradox
Curiously, Italy’s tennis boom may owe a debt of gratitude to another racket sport—padel. This hybrid of tennis and squash exploded in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, as Italians sought safe outlets for their competitive spirits.
The Italian Tennis Federation astutely brought padel under its aegis, creating a natural pathway for players to transition to tennis proper. As Angelo Binaghi, the federation’s president explains:
“Padel has definitely contributed to the success of tennis in Italy, especially because, unlike in other countries, padel is part of the same tennis federation, helping to increase the presence of players and members in our tennis clubs.”
Game, Set, and Match for Italian TV
Television has played a pivotal role in this sea change. The launch of SuperTennis in 2008, a channel dedicated to 24/7 coverage of the sport, has brought unprecedented exposure to Italian tennis.
Viewership has skyrocketed, with nearly 1.8 million Italians tuning in for the recent US Open final between Sinner and Taylor Fritz. This surge in demand has left even the national broadcaster, Rai, scrambling to meet the insatiable appetite for tennis content.
A New Era for Italian Sport
As the tennis juggernaut shows no signs of slowing, Italian sport stands on the cusp of a new era. Football’s long-held dominance faces a genuine challenge from a sport once relegated to the margins.
For Binaghi and his federation, this shift is long overdue:
“I can no longer stand for tennis to be considered a minor sport. It is no longer the case. And it’s time for everyone to take note.”
As Italians continue to flock to the courts in record numbers, one thing is certain—the nation’s love affair with tennis is just beginning. With a generation of young stars poised to follow in Sinner’s footsteps, the future of Italian tennis shines brighter than ever.
